Carolyn Wickeraad

Carolyn Ruth Wickeraad, 86, of Willmar, died Friday, December 19th at Copperleaf Senior Living in Willmar. Her funeral service will be at 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 7th at First Covenant Church in Willmar. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 pm, Tuesday, January 6th at Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar and continue one hour prior to her service. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery in Kerkhoven. www.hafh.org 

Carolyn Ruth Wickeraad was born on June 9, 1939, to Melvin and Doris (Nelson) Anderson on the family farm. She was confirmed at Kerkhoven Evangelical Free Church and later baptized at the First Presbyterian Church. From a young age, Carolyn learned the value of hard work, first helping in the home and later assisting with farm duties, including driving tractor.

It was while working on the farm that Carolyn met the love of her life, Leonard Wickeraad—she driving tractor and he tossing oat bundles into the hayrack. On July 26, 1957, Carolyn and Leonard were united in marriage. They made their home on a farm near Solomon Lake before purchasing a different farm site just a few miles south. Together they were blessed with four children: Ruth, John, Jeff and Rita.

Carolyn devoted herself to raising her family and was actively involved managing the bookwork for their dairy supply business. She was also very creative, enjoyed woodworking projects and was a gifted seamstress. Her talent and craftsmanship were well known and admired.

She was also a faithful volunteer at church for many years serving in the women’s group, teaching Sunday School and leading many of the holiday Sunday School programs. She was the first woman elder at the Kerkhoven Presbyterian church. Leonard and Carolyn were also long-time members of First Covenant Church in Willmar.

The holidays held a special place in Carolyn’s heart, especially Christmas. She delighted in preparing traditional Scandinavian treats and developed a remarkable collection of Nativity sets, over 700 in total, which reflected her deep love for the season and her strong faith. She shared her  Nativity collection at various churches in a four state area.

 Leonard and Carolyn enjoyed traveling together. They visited all but five states, as well as ten different countries. Sweden and Costa Rica were two of Carolyn’s favorites. In later years, Carolyn enjoyed going for rides and visiting her favorite restaurants including Culver’s, Frieda’s, Perkins, Red Lobster and Sherrie’s Cafe.

Carolyn will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and  friend.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Leonard, children: Ruth Schoen of Little Falls, John (Jinnie) Wickeraad of Granite Bay, CA, and Rita (Gregg) Bents of Wake Forest, NC; 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings: Ron (Mary) Anderson and Nancy (Larry) Dwire.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Jeff Wickeraad; son-in-law, Steve Schoen and brother and sister-in-law: Cecil and Shirley Anderson.

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